KR20190011721A - An aerosol-generating article having a liquid indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol generating article 204 comprising a liquid reservoir 213 containing a liquid aerosol forming base 215 and a water chromatic color material 218 provided on the liquid reservoir 213. The water coloring material 218 has a first color when in contact with the liquid aerosol forming base material 215 and a second color in the absence of the liquid aerosol forming material 215. There is additionally provided an aerosol generating system 200 comprising an aerosol generating article 204, an aerosol generating element 219, and an aerosol generating device 202. Includes a control unit 209 configured to control the supply of electric power from the electric power supply unit 207 based on values of optical characteristics sensed by the electric power supply unit 207, the electro-optical sensor 212, and the electro-optical sensor 212 An aerosol generating device 202 is additionally provided.

Description

An aerosol-generating article having a liquid indicator

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating article comprising a water coloring material, an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article, and an aerosol generating device comprising an electronic light sensor.

One type of aerosol generation system is electronic cigarettes. E-cigarettes typically use liquid aerosol-forming substrates that are vaporized to form aerosols. The electronic cigarette typically includes a power supply, a liquid reservoir for maintaining supply of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and an atomiser.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate is consumed during use and needs to be replenished. The most common way to supply a refill of a liquid aerosol-forming substrate is a cartomiser type cartridge. The catomizer can be regarded as a consumable aerosol generating article and the reusable portion of the electronic cigarette can be regarded as an aerosol generating device. Katomaizer may include both a supply portion of the liquid substrate and a sprayer in the form of an electrically actuated resistive heater wrapped around the capillary material that is wetted within the aerosol-forming substrate. Replacing the catomizer as a single consumable unit provides a convenient benefit to the user and avoids the need for the user to clean or otherwise maintain the sprayer. However, it can be difficult for the user to determine when the liquid aerosol forming substrate in the catomizer has been exhausted. Thus, it may be difficult for a user to determine when to replace consumable parts of an aerosol generating system, such as a catheter of an electronic cigarette.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating article comprising a liquid aerosol forming substrate and an indicator indicating when the liquid aerosol forming substrate has been exhausted.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol generating article comprising a liquid reservoir containing a liquid aerosol forming substrate and a hydrochromic material provided on the liquid reservoir. The water coloring material has a first color when in contact with the liquid aerosol forming substrate and a second color in the absence of the liquid aerosol forming substrate.

As used herein, the term "aerosol forming substrate" is used to describe a substrate capable of releasing a volatile compound, which is capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention may or may not be visible, and may be vaporized (for example, fine particles of a gaseous substance, usually liquid or solid at room temperature) But may contain droplets of gas and condensed vapor.

The aerosol-generating article according to the present invention comprises a water-coloring material that is configured to exhibit a change in color when the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is exhausted. Advantageously, the water-chromoly material provides a simple and cost effective indication for exhaustion of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention can minimize the risk that the user will discard the aerosol-generating article before all of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate has been consumed.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention can minimize the risk that the user continues to use the aerosol-generating article after all the liquid aerosol-forming substrate has been consumed. In embodiments where the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is heated to produce an aerosol, it may be desirable to minimize the risk of continued heating of the dry aerosol-generating article in order to prevent the release of one or more undesirable materials from the aerosol-generating article .

The water coloring material may be provided as a coating layer on at least a part of the liquid storage portion. The water-coloring material may include at least one of an ink and a paint. Water-based color inks and paints may be particularly advantageous in embodiments in which water coloring materials are provided as coating layers.

One of the first color and the second color may be a condition in which the water coloring material is substantially colorless. The term "colorless" is used herein to refer to materials that transmit light substantially equally throughout the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

At least one of the first color and the second color may be translucent or transparent. The translucent and transparent material transmits at least 50% of the incident light for at least one wavelength in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The term "translucent" is used herein to mean a material that transmits light while scattering. The term "transparent" is used herein to mean a material that transmits light substantially without scattering.

The translucent and transparent material may be substantially colorless.

Semitransparent and transparent materials are not colorless, as some materials can transmit some wavelengths more than others.

At least one of the first color and the second color may be opaque. The term "opacity" is used herein to refer to a material that reflects or absorbs at least 50% of the incident light for all wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Opaque material that absorbs all wavelengths is black. An opaque material reflecting all wavelengths represents a color corresponding to the color of the incident light. An opaque material that absorbs some wavelengths and reflects the remaining wavelengths represents a color that corresponds to the combination of the reflected wavelengths of the incident light.

The water coloring material may comprise one or more pigments or dyes to provide the desired primary color, secondary color, or both. The water-coloring material may comprise one or more inorganic pigments or dyes. The water coloring material may comprise one or more organic pigments or dyes. Suitable pigments and dyes include azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, xanthene dyes, azine dyes, and combinations thereof.

As the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is consumed during use of the aerosol-generating article, the water-coloring material may progressively change from the first color to the second color. In this way, the water coloring material can provide an indication of the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate remaining in the liquid reservoir. For example, in index embodiments where the first color is translucent or transparent and the second color is opaque, the water coloring material may progressively increase opacity as the liquid aerosol forming substrate is consumed.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise water. Preferably, the water coloring material changes color in response to the presence or absence of water.

The water discolouring material may include at least one of fine particulate silicic acid, coarse powder, precipitated barium sulfate, barium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, gypsum, clay, talc, alumina white, basic magnesium carbonate, and combinations thereof.

The aerosol generating article may comprise a base layer, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a porous base material located on the base layer and a liquid aerosol forming substrate sorbed into the porous base material. Preferably, the water discoloring material is provided on the outer surface of the porous substrate material. That is, the water coloring material is preferably provided on the surface of the porous base material that can be seen by the user.

The aerosol generating article may comprise a single porous aerosol forming substrate sorbed into a single porous substrate material and a porous substrate material.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a plurality of discrete segments of the porous substrate material located on the base layer, wherein the liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprises a liquid aerosol-forming substrate sorbed into each segment of the porous substrate material. The liquid aerosol-forming substrates may be substantially the same. At least one of the liquid aerosol forming substrates may be different from the remaining liquid aerosol forming substrates.

Preferably, each porous substrate material has a density of from about 0.1 g / cm ³ to about 0.3 g / cm ³ .

Preferably, each porous substrate material has a porosity of about 15% to about 55%.

Each of the porous substrate materials may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, cellulose, ceramic, stainless steel, aluminum, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly (cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), are as polytetrafluoroethylene can include ethylene (PTFE), ethylene at a foam polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and at least one of the BAREX ^®.

Preferably, each porous carrier material is chemically inert with respect to the liquid aerosol-forming substrate sorbed into the porous carrier material.

The base layer and each porous carrier material may contact each other at a substantially planar contact surface. Providing each porous carrier material on a substantially planar portion of the base layer may simplify the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term "substantially planar" means arranged substantially along one plane.

The aerosol generating article may include a cover layer sealed to the base layer such that each porous substrate material is sealed between the base layer and the cover layer. Preferably, the cover layer is sealed to the base layer around the periphery of the base layer.

The cover layer may be configured to be removable from the base layer prior to use of the aerosol-generating article.

The cover layer may be configured to remain on the base layer during use of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the cover layer may be penetrated prior to use of the aerosol-generating article. In embodiments in which the cover layer is configured to remain on the base layer during use of the aerosol-generating article, at least a portion of the cover layer over the water discoloration material may be translucent or transparent.

The base layer may have any suitable cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the base layer has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The base layer may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The base layer may have a long, substantially rectangular, parallelepipedal shape. The base layer may be substantially flat. The base layer may be substantially planar. The substantially planar base layer may be particularly suitable for aerosol-generating articles comprising at least one solid aerosol-forming substrate.

The base layer may comprise a polymeric foil.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a liquid nicotine source sorbed into the porous substrate material.

Preferably, the liquid nicotine source comprises at least one of nicotine, a nicotine base, a nicotine salt such as nicotine-HCl, nicotine-bitartrate, or nicotine-ditartrate, or a nicotine derivative.

The nicotine source may comprise natural or synthetic nicotine.

The nicotine source may comprise pure nicotine, an aqueous solvent or a nicotine solution in a non-aqueous solvent, or a liquid tobacco extract.

The nicotine source may comprise an electrolyte-forming compound. The electrolyte-forming compound may be selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and combinations thereof.

The nicotine source may comprise an electrolyte-forming compound selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium oxide, barium oxide, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, ammonium citrate, ammonium sulfate, and combinations thereof.

The nicotine source may comprise an aqueous solution of nicotine, a nicotine base, a nicotine salt, or a nicotine derivative, and an electrolyte forming compound.

The nicotine source may include other ingredients including, but not limited to, natural flavors, artificial flavors and antioxidants.

The liquid aerosol forming substrate may comprise a first liquid aerosol forming substrate comprising a nicotine source sorbed into the first porous substrate material and a second liquid aerosol forming substrate comprising an acid source sorbed into the second porous substrate material have. During use, volatile compounds from the nicotine source and the acid source may react in the vapor phase to form aerosols containing nicotine salt particles.

The acid source may comprise an organic or inorganic acid. Preferably, the acid source comprises an organic acid, more preferably a carboxylic acid, most preferably alpha-keto or 2-oxo acid or lactic acid .

Preferably, the acid is selected from the group consisting of 3-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid, pyruvic acid, 2-oxopentanoic acid, 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid, ≪ / RTI > and combinations thereof. Advantageously, the acid comprises pyruvic acid or lactic acid. More advantageously, the acid comprises lactic acid.

The liquid reservoir may comprise a liquid reservoir containing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the water color material is provided on an inner surface of the liquid reservoir. Preferably, at least a portion of the liquid storage vessel over the water discoloring material is substantially translucent or substantially transparent. Preferably, the substantially translucent or substantially transparent portion of the liquid storage container allows the user to observe the color of the water-coloring material during use of the aerosol-generating article.

Liquid storage containers include: ALTUGLAS® medical resin polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Chevron Phillips K-Resin® styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC), Arkema specialty performance polymers Pebax®, Rilsan® and Rilsan® Clear, DOW (Health + ?) Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), DOW? LDPE 91003, DOW? LDPE 91020 (MFI 2.0; density 923), ExxonMobil? Polypropylene (PP) PP1013H1, PP1014H1 and PP9074MED, Trinseo CALIBRE? And may be formed of a substantially transparent material such as polycarbonate (PC) 2060-SERIES. The liquid reservoir may be, for example, molded by an injection molding process.

Preferably, the liquid storage vessel comprises an outlet in the liquid storage vessel for delivery of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage vessel. The outlet may be provided at the end of the liquid storage vessel. The liquid storage vessel may comprise a substantially cylindrical vessel having a closed end and an open end, and a lid including an outlet and extending across the open end. The lid may be configured to tightly tighten a substantially cylindrical container.

The aerosol generating article may further comprise a liquid transport element extending through the outlet, the liquid transport element having a first end located within the liquid reservoir. Advantageously, the liquid transport element can facilitate controlled delivery of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid reservoir through the outlet.

The liquid transport element may include a capillary wick. The capillary wick can be formed of capillary fibers, including glass fibers, carbon fibers, and metal fibers, or any fiber of glass fibers, carbon fibers, and metal fibers, or a combination of both. The provision of the metal fibers can improve the mechanical resistance of the wick without adversely affecting the overall wicking properties of the wick. Such fibers may be provided parallel to the central axis of the wick and may be twisted, twisted or partially non-woven.

The capillary wick can have a fibrous structure or a sponge structure. The capillary wick preferably comprises a bundle of capillaries. For example, the capillary wick can include a plurality of fibers or threads, or other fine bore tubes. The fibers or threads may be generally aligned in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article. The capillary wick may comprise a sponge or foam material formed into a rod shape. The structure of the wick forms a plurality of small bores or tubes in which the liquid can be transported by capillary action. The capillary wick may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials are ceramic or graphite based materials in the form of fibers or calcined powders. The capillary wick can have any suitable capillary action and porosity for use with different liquid properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension, vapor pressure, and the like. The capillary properties of the wick, coupled with the properties of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, ensure that the wick remains as long as the liquid aerosol-forming substrate remains in the liquid reservoir.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing a volatile tobacco flavoring compound that is released from the substrate upon heating. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material and a non-tobacco-containing material. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine.

Preferably, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprises an aerosol-forming agent.

The aerosol generating article may further comprise an aerosol generating element configured to aerosolize the liquid aerosol forming substrate.

In embodiments in which the aerosol generating article includes a liquid transport element having a first end located within the liquid reservoir, the aerosol generating element may be positioned to aerosolize the liquid aerosol forming substrate at the second end of the liquid transport element have. In use, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is moved from the liquid reservoir to the aerosol generating element along the liquid transport element. When the aerosol generating element is activated, the liquid aerosol forming substrate in the liquid transport element is vaporized by the aerosol generating element to form a supersaturated vapor. The supersaturated steam is mixed and returned to the air stream. During flow, the vapor condenses to form an aerosol, and the aerosol is transported toward the mouth of the user.

The aerosol generating element may comprise a vibratable element, such as a piezoelectric element. The vibratable element includes an electrical contact configured to enable electrical connection to the power supply.

The aerosol generating element may comprise a susceptor, wherein the susceptor is configured to aerosolize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate upon induction heating.

The aerosol generating element may comprise an electric heater. The electric heater may include an electrical contact configured to enable electrical connection to the power supply. The electric heater may be a resistive heater. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (eg, molybdenum silicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of ceramic and metal materials Do not. Such a composite material may comprise doped ceramic or undoped ceramic. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, Constantan, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, , Gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron-containing alloys and superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal®, iron-aluminum alloys and iron-manganese-aluminum alloys. Timetal® is a registered trademark of Titanium Metals Corporation, Broadway Suite 4300, Denver, Colorado. In a composite material, the electrically resistive material may be selectively embedded in an insulating material, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the required external physical and chemical properties. The electric heater may comprise an etched metal foil insulated between two layers of inert material. In that case, the inert material may comprise Kapton (R), an all-polyimide, or mica foil. Kapton® is available from EI of 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del. 19898, USA. is a registered trademark of du Pont de Nemours and Company.

The electric heater may include an infrared heating element, a photon source, or an induction heating element.

The electric heater can take any suitable form. The electric heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electronic conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metal tube. The electric heater can be a disk (terminal) heating element, or a combination of a disk heating element with a heating needle or rod. In embodiments in which the aerosol generating article comprises a liquid transport element, the electric heater may comprise a flexible sheet arranged to surround or partially surround the second end of the liquid transport element. Other possible materials include heating wires or filaments, for example Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wires, or heating plates. Optionally, an electric heater may be deposited in or on the rigid carrier material.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article according to the first aspect of the invention, an aerosol generating element configured to aerosolize a liquid aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol generating article, and an aerosol generating device . The aerosol generating apparatus includes a power supply unit and a control unit for controlling power supply from the power supply unit to the aerosol generation element. The aerosol generation system is configured such that water discoloration of the aerosol generation article is visible from the outside of the aerosol generation system.

In an aerosol generation system according to the second aspect of the present invention, said water discoloration material is visible outside the aerosol generation system. Therefore, advantageously, the user can observe the water-discolouring material during use of the aerosol generating system to determine when the liquid aerosol-forming substrate has been exhausted.

Preferably, at least one of the aerosol generating article and the aerosol generating device comprises a translucent portion or a transparent portion overlying the water coloring material. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article comprises a semitransparent portion or a transparent portion on the water discoloring material.

The aerosol generating device may include a housing defining a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating article. In such embodiments, the housing may include a translucent portion or a transparent portion configured to rest on the water discoloring material when at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

The aerosol generating element may form part of the aerosol generating article described herein with reference to the first aspect of the present invention. The aerosol generating device may include an electrical contact configured to be electrically connected to an electrical contact on the aerosol generating element.

The aerosol generating element may form part of an aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating element may be provided separately from both the aerosol generating article and the aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating element is combined with the aerosol generating article and the aerosol generating device to form an aerosol generating system. In embodiments in which the aerosol generating element is configured for use with a plurality of aerosol generating articles, an aerosol generating element provided separately from both the aerosol generating article and the aerosol generating device may be advantageous. For example, the aerosol generating article and the aerosol generating element provided separately from the aerosol generating device can facilitate cleaning of the aerosol generating element. The aerosol generating device may include an electrical contact configured to be electrically connected to an electrical contact on the aerosol generating element.

Suitable aerosol generating elements are described herein with reference to the first aspect of the present invention.

The power supply may include a direct current (DC) source. In preferred embodiments, the power supply comprises a battery. The power supply may include a nickel-metal hybrid battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, for example, a lithium-cobalt, lithium-iron-phosphate, or lithium-polymer battery.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise an electronic photosensor configured to sense optical characteristics of the water coloring material of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is associated with the aerosol generating device. The control is configured to monitor the value of the sensed optical characteristic when the aerosol generating device is operated in combination with the aerosol generating article. The control unit is configured to control supply of power from the power supply unit to the aerosol generation element when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is within the first range representing the first color. The control unit is configured to prevent the supply of power from the power supply to the aerosol generating element when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is out of the first range and indicates the second color. This may be particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the aerosol generating element comprises an electric heater, since the controller is configured to prevent further heating of the aerosol-generating article when the second color is detected. That is, the control unit is configured to prevent further heating when the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is exhausted.

The control may be configured to repeatedly measure the value of the sensed optical property during operation of the aerosol generating device in combination with the aerosol generating article to determine when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is no longer within the first range have. The control unit may be configured to periodically measure the value of the sensed optical characteristic. The control may be configured to continuously measure the value of the sensed optical characteristic during operation of the aerosol generating device in combination with the aerosol generating article.

The control can be configured to estimate the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate remaining in the aerosol-generating article based on the measured value of the sensed optical property of the water-coloring material. As described herein with reference to the first aspect of the present invention, as the liquid aerosol forming substrate is consumed, the water chromatic material may progressively change from the first color to the second color. The aerosol generating device may include a feedback device for providing feedback to the user indicating an estimated amount of the remaining liquid aerosol forming substrate.

The optical properties may include at least one of reflectance, absorbance, transmittance, color, and combinations thereof.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device configured to be combined with an aerosol generating article. Preferably, the aerosol generating device is configured to be combined with the aerosol generating article according to the first aspect of the present invention. The aerosol generating device includes a power supply, an electro-optical sensor, and a control unit. The electro-optical sensor is configured to sense the optical characteristics of a portion of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is combined with the aerosol generator. The control is configured to monitor the value of the sensed optical characteristic when the aerosol generating device is operated in combination with the aerosol generating article. The control unit is configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the aerosol generating element when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is within the first range. The control unit is configured to prevent the supply of power from the power supply to the aerosol generating element when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is outside the first range. The first range may include any value above or below a predetermined threshold value.

The control unit is configured to repeatedly measure the value of the optical characteristic sensed during operation of the aerosol generating device with the aerosol generating article to determine when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is no longer within the first range. The control unit may be configured to periodically measure the value of the sensed optical characteristic. The control unit may be configured to continuously measure the value of the optical characteristic sensed during operation of the aerosol generating apparatus in combination with the aerosol generating article.

The control unit may be configured to estimate the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate remaining in the aerosol-generating article based on the measured value of the sensed optical characteristics. In embodiments in which the aerosol generating device is configured for use with the aerosol generating article according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control portion controls the liquid storage portion based on the measured value of the sensed optical characteristic of the water- To estimate the amount of remaining liquid aerosol forming substrate. As the liquid aerosol forming substrate is consumed, the water coloring material may gradually change from the first color to the second color. The aerosol generating device may include a feedback device for providing feedback to the user indicating an estimated amount of the remaining liquid aerosol forming substrate.

In embodiments in which the control is configured to combine with the aerosol generating article according to the first aspect of the present invention, the value of the optical property sensed within the first range may be indicative of the first color of the water coloring material. The value of the sensed optical characteristic outside the first range may be indicative of a second color of the water coloring material.

The optical properties may include at least one of reflectance, absorbance, transmittance, color, and combinations thereof.

The aerosol generating device is configured to be combined with the aerosol generating article. That is, the aerosol generating device is configured to be operatively connected to the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device may include a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device may include an attachment portion for releasably attaching the aerosol generating device to the aerosol generating article. The attachment portion may include a thread for engagement with a corresponding thread on the aerosol-generating article. The attachment portion may be configured to engage a corresponding attachment portion on the aerosol generation article by forced fit.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise an aerosol generating element. Suitable aerosol generating elements are described herein with reference to the first aspect of the present invention.

The aerosol generating device is configured to be combined with an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol generating element. The aerosol generating device is configured to combine with the aerosol generating article and a separate aerosol generating element. The aerosol generating device may include an electrical contact configured to be electrically connected to an electrical contact on the aerosol generating element.

The aerosol generating device may include any optional or preferred features described herein with reference to an aerosol generating device forming part of the aerosol generating system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

An aerosol generating device according to the third aspect of the invention may be combined with the aerosol generating article according to the first aspect of the invention to form an aerosol generating system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration only.
1 shows an aerosol generating article according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows an aerosol generating device for use with the aerosol generating article of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows the aerosol generating article of Figure 1 after partial use; And
4 shows an aerosol generation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

1 shows an aerosol generating article 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating article 10 includes a base layer 12 and a plurality of individual liquid reservoirs 14 located on the base layer 12. A removable cover layer 16 is secured to the base layer 12 so that a plurality of liquid reservoirs 14 are sealed between the base layer 12 and the cover layer 16. [

Each of the liquid reservoirs 14 comprises a porous base material and a liquid aerosol forming substrate sorbed onto the porous substrate material. A water coloring material 18 is provided on the surface of each porous substrate material. The water coloring material 18 is configured to be substantially transparent when it comes into contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate so that the color of the underlying porous substrate material can be seen.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device 100 for use with the aerosol generating article 10 of FIG. The aerosol generating device 100 includes a housing 112 defining a cavity 114 for receiving the aerosol generating article 10. Air inlet 116 is provided at the upstream end of cavity 114 and mouthpiece 118 is provided at the downstream end of housing 112. The air outlet 120 is provided in the mouthpiece 118 in fluid communication with the cavity 114 such that the airflow path is defined through the cavity 114 between the air inlet 116 and the air outlet 120. During use, the user aspirates the mouthpiece 118 to draw air into the cavity 114 through the air inlet 116 and out of the cavity 114 through the air outlet 20.

The transparent window 121 provided in the housing 112 allows the user to observe the aerosol generating article 10 when the aerosol generating article 10 is received in the cavity 114.

The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a plurality of aerosol generating elements 122 provided on a planar wall surface 124 of the cavity 114. Each aerosol generating element 122 includes an electric heater element 126 provided on a common support layer 128.

The aerosol generating apparatus 100 further includes a power supply 140 and a controller 142 located within the housing 112. During operation of the aerosol generator 100, the controller 142 controls the supply of current from the power supply 140 to each aerosol generation element 122 to activate the aerosol generation element 122. The control unit 142 may be configured to activate a plurality of aerosol generating elements 122 into a group, wherein each group is sequentially activated and deactivated.

In use, the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the cavity 114 such that the aerosol generating article 10 and the aerosol generating device 100 form an aerosol generating system. The control unit 142 then sequentially activates and deactivates the aerosol generating element 122 to sequentially heat the individual liquid reservoir 14. [ Each time the liquid reservoir 14 is heated, the liquid aerosol forming substrate is aerosolized until substantially no liquid aerosol forming substrate remains on the porous substrate material. In the absence of a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the water-coloring material 18 on the porous substrate material is substantially transparent to opaque, such as white. Figure 3 shows the aerosol generating article 10 of Figure 1 after a portion of the liquid reservoir 14 has been heated and the chromatic discolor 18 has been transformed from substantially transparent to white.

During use, the user can observe the aerosol-generating article 10 through the transparent window 121 of the aerosol generator 100 to inspect the color of the water-coloring material 18 on each liquid reservoir 14 have. In this way, the user can determine how much liquid storage portion 14 has been heated.

4 shows an aerosol generating system 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating system 200 includes an aerosol generating device 202 and an aerosol generating article 204 removably attached to the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating system may be an electronic smoking system wherein the aerosol generating device 202 is the body of the electronic smoking system and the aerosol generating article 204 is a replaceable cartridge such as a catheter.

The aerosol generating device 202 includes a housing 201, a power supply 207, a feedback device 208, a control unit 209, a puff detection system 211 and an electro-optical sensor 212.

The aerosol generating article 204 includes a liquid reservoir 213 containing a transparent liquid reservoir 214 containing a liquid aerosol forming substrate 215. The aerosol generating article 204 further comprises an aerosol generating element 219 comprising a liquid transport element 217 in the form of a capillary wick and an electric heater. The first end of the capillary wick extends into the liquid reservoir 214 and the second end of the capillary wick is surrounded by an electric heater. The electric heater is connected to the aerosol generator 202 through an electrical connection 221.

The water coloring material 218 is provided on the inner surface of the liquid storage container 214 when it comes into contact with the liquid aerosol forming base material 215. [ The water coloring material 218 is configured to exhibit a first color upon contact with the liquid aerosol forming substrate and to exhibit a second color when the liquid aerosol forming substrate 215 is exhausted from the liquid storage vessel 214. The first color may be transparent and the second color may be opaque.

The aerosol generating article 204 also includes an air inlet 223, an air outlet 225 and an aerosol forming chamber 227.

The liquid aerosol forming substrate 215 is transported or carried by capillary action from the first end of the wick 217 to the second end of the wick 217 surrounded by the electric heater . When the user sucks the device at the air outlet 225, the ambient air is sucked through the air inlet 223. The puff detection system 211 senses the puff and activates the electric heater. The power supply 207 supplies energy to the electric heater to heat the end of the wick 217 surrounded by the electric heater. The liquid aerosol forming substrate 215 at the second end of the wick 217 is vaporized by an electric heater to produce supersaturated vapor. At the same time, the evaporating liquid aerosol substrate 215 is replaced by an additional liquid aerosol substrate 215 that moves along the wick 217 by capillary action. The resulting supersaturated vapor is mixed with the air stream and returned from the air inlet 223 to the air stream. In the aerosol forming chamber 227, the vapor is condensed to form an aspirable aerosol, and the aerosol is carried into the mouth of the user towards the outlet 225.

During operation of the aerosol generation system 200, the electro-optical sensor 212 senses the optical characteristics of the water-coloring material 218 through the transparent liquid reservoir 214. As the liquid aerosol forming substrate 215 is consumed from the liquid reservoir 215, the water coloring material 218 gradually changes from the first color to the second color. The control unit 209 monitors the value of the sensed optical characteristic and continuously estimates the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate 215 remaining in the liquid storage container 214. [ The estimated amount of remaining liquid aerosol forming substrate 215 is displayed on feedback device 208. [ If the value of the sensed optical characteristic of the water coloring material 218 indicates the second color, the control unit 209 prevents further activation of the electric heater.

Claims (15)

As an aerosol-generating article,
A liquid reservoir containing a liquid aerosol forming substrate; And
Wherein the water coloring material has a first color when in contact with the liquid aerosol forming substrate and a second color in the absence of the liquid aerosol forming substrate, , Aerosol-generated articles. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, further comprising a base layer, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a porous substrate material located on the base layer and a liquid aerosol forming substrate sorbed into the porous substrate material. The aerosol-generating article of claim 2, wherein the water-coloring material is provided on an outer surface of the porous substrate material. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a liquid reservoir containing the liquid aerosol forming substrate, wherein the water coloring material is provided on an inner surface of the liquid reservoir . 5. The article of claim 4, further comprising an outlet in the liquid storage vessel for delivery of the liquid aerosol forming substrate from the liquid storage vessel. 6. The article of claim 5, further comprising a liquid transport element extending through the outlet, the liquid transport element having a first end located within the liquid reservoir. 7. An aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an aerosol generating element configured to aerosolize the liquid aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol generating article of claim 7, wherein the aerosol generating element comprises an electric heater. 9. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprises water. 10. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprises nicotine. As an aerosol generating system,
An aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
An aerosol generating element configured to aerosolize the liquid aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol generating article; And
An aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises:
A power supply; And
And a control unit for controlling power supply from the power supply unit to the aerosol generation element;
Wherein the aerosol generating system is configured such that water discoloration of the aerosol generating article is visible from outside the aerosol generating system. 12. The aerosol generation system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the aerosol generating article and the aerosol generating device comprises a translucent portion or a transparent portion over the water coloring material. An aerosol generating device configured to be combined with an aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating device comprising:
A power supply;
An electronic photosensor configured to sense optical characteristics of a portion of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is combined with the aerosol generating device; And
And a controller configured to monitor a value of the sensed optical characteristic when the aerosol generating device is operated in combination with the aerosol generating article, wherein the controller is configured to determine, when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is within the first range, Wherein the controller is configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the aerosol generating element, wherein the controller is configured to supply power from the power supply to the aerosol generating element when the value of the sensed optical characteristic is outside the first range Of the aerosol generating device. 14. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an aerosol generating element. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and an aerosol generating device according to claims 13 or 14.

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